Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
1
AN ARRANGEMENT FOR ADJUSTING AMPLIFICATION
Field of the invention
The invention relates to cable television (CATV) networks, and
especially to an arrangement for adjusting amplification.
Background of the invention
CATV networks may be implemented with various techniques and
network topologies, but currently most cable television networks are
implemented as so-called HFC networks (Hybrid Fiber Coax), i.e. as
combinations of a fibre network and a coaxial cable network.
In HFC networks, return path (i.e. upstream) adjustment of a wideband
amplifier is a challenging task and a common source of adjustment
errors. Traditionally, amplification parameters of the return path, such
as gain and slope, have been hand-adjusted by a service technician.
Manual adjustment of return path might cause adjustment error or
return path might be left totally unadjusted. False return path
adjustment causes poor upstream transmission performance and
degrades the QoS of the cable modem system. While forward path is
typically correctly adjusted by field personnel, return path adjustment is
too often neglected as its effect on cable modem system QoS may not
be directly visible during installation.
Brief summary of the invention
Now, an improved arrangement has been developed to reduce the
above-mentioned problems. As aspects of the invention, we present a
network element of a cable television network, which is characterized
in what will be presented in the independent claims.
The dependent claims disclose advantageous embodiments of the
invention.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a network
element of a cable television (CATV) network, said network element
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
2
comprising a first input for downstream signal transmission; a plurality
of components arranged to form a downstream signal path, wherein at
least one of said components is a downstream amplifier; a second
input for upstream signal transmission; a plurality of components
arranged to form an upstream signal path, wherein at least one of said
components is an upstream amplifier; means for inputting a control
signal for adjusting one or more amplification parameters of the
downstream amplifier; and means for adjusting one or more
amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier, wherein said one or
more amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier are
automatically calculated on the basis of the one or more amplification
parameters of the downstream amplifier.
According to an embodiment, said means for adjusting one or more
amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier is arranged to
continuously follow changes in values of the one or more amplification
parameters of the downstream amplifier; and re-adjust the one or
more amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier based on said
changes.
According to an embodiment, said amplification parameters of the
downstream amplifier used as a basis for calculating said amplification
parameters of the upstream amplifier are gain and slope of the
downstream amplifier.
According to an embodiment, the gain of the upstream amplifier is
calculated according to
gain (US) = A*gain (DS) + B*slope (DS) + C ,
where gain(DS) and slope(DS) are the gain and slope of the
downstream (forward path) amplifier and A and B are constants
depending on a frequency band of the upstream signal path and C
refers to one or more ambient factors.
According to an embodiment, the slope of the upstream amplifier is
calculated according to
slope (US) = D*gain(DS) + E*slope (DS) + F ,
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
3
where gain(DS) and slope(DS) are the gain and slope of the
downstream amplifier and D and E are constants depending on a
frequency band of the upstream signal path and F refers to one or
more ambient factors.
According to an embodiment, said means for adjusting the one or more
amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier is arranged to use
one or more of the following parameters upon calculating said ambient
factors:
¨ operating temperature of the network element;
¨ application-specific correction values;
¨ type of plug-in modules used in the network element;
¨ information about usage of a power save mode.
According to an embodiment, the gain of the upstream amplifier is
calculated according to
gain (US) = gain(DS) ¨ B*slope(DS),
where gain(DS) and slope(DS) are the gain and slope of the
downstream amplifier and B is a constant depending on a frequency
band of the upstream signal path.
According to an embodiment, the slope of the upstream amplifier is
calculated according to
slope (US) = D*slope(DS),
where slope(DS) is the slope of the downstream amplifier and D is a
constant depending on a frequency band of the upstream signal path.
According to an embodiment, the network element further comprises a
plurality of diplex filters, each of the diplex filters comprising bandpass
filters for different downstream and upstream frequency bands.
According to an embodiment, said means for adjusting one or more
amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier comprises a control
circuit configured to detect the values of the one or more amplification
parameters of the downstream amplifier and changes thereof and to
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
4
adjust the one or more amplification parameters of the upstream
amplifier based on the detected values.
These and other aspects, embodiments and advantages will be
presented later in the detailed description of the invention.
Brief description of the drawings
The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with
preferred embodiments with reference to the appended drawings, in
which:
Fig. 1 shows the general structure of a typical HFC network;
Fig. 2 shows a simplified block chart of a network element
applicable in a HFC network; and
Fig. 3 shows a simplified block chart of a network element
according to an embodiment of the invention.
Detailed description of the embodiments
Figure 1 shows the general structure of a typical HFC network.
Program services are introduced from the main amplifier 100 (a so-
called headend) of the network via an optical fibre network 102 to a
fibre node 104, which converts the optical signal to an electric signal to
be relayed further in a coaxial cable network 106. Depending on the
length, branching, topology, etc. of the coaxial cable network, this
coaxial cable segment typically comprises one or more broadband
amplifiers 108, 110 for amplifying program service signals in a heavily
attenuating coaxial media. From the amplifier the program service
signals are introduced to a cable network 112 of a smaller area, such
as a distribution network of an apartment building, which are typically
implemented as coaxial tree or star networks comprising signal splitters
for distributing the program service signals to each customer. The
cable network 112, such as the distribution network of an apartment,
may further comprise a Network Interface Unit (NIU) arranged to divide
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
downstream signals to appropriate home appliances. The NIU may
operate as a home amplifier. From a wall outlet the signal is further
relayed either via a cable modem 114 to a television receiver 116 or a
computer 118, or via a so-called set-top box 120 to a television
5 receiver 122.
The HFC network may be implemented according to various standards.
In Europe, the HFC networks have traditionally been implemented
according to DVB-C (Digital Video Broadcasting ¨ Cable) standard, but
currently there is an on-going shift to more widely use the DOCSIS
(Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) standard.
DOCSIS is a CATV standard providing specifications for high-
bandwidth data transfer in an existing CATV system. DOCSIS may be
employed to provide Internet access over existing hybrid fiber-coaxial
(HFC) infrastructure of cable television operators. DOCSIS has been
evolved through versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 and 3.0 to the latest version of
3.1.
When implementing the HFC network of Figure 1 according to
DOCSIS, the headend 100 of the CATV network comprises inputs for
signals, such as TV signals and IF signals, a television signal
modulator and a cable modem termination system (CMTS). The CMTS
provides high-speed data services to customers thorough cable
modems (CM; 114) locating in homes. The CMTS forms the interface
to the IF-based network over the Internet. It modulates the data from
the Internet for downstream transmission to homes and receives the
upstream data from homes. The CMTS additionally manages the load
balancing, error correction parameters and the class of service (CoS).
Signals from the headend 100 are distributed optically (fiber network
102) to within the vicinity of individual homes, where the optical signals
are converted to electrical signals at the terminating points 104. The
electrical signals are then distributed to the various homes via the
existing 75 ohm coaxial cables 106. The maximum data transfer of the
coaxial cables is limited due to strong frequency-based attenuation.
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
6
Therefore, the electrical signals transmitted over coaxial cables must
be amplified. The amplifiers 108, 110 used for this purpose are suited
to a specific frequency range. In addition, the upstream and
downstream must occur over the same physical connection. The last
part 112 of the coaxial connection between the CMTS and the CMs
branches off in a star or a tree structure. A CMTS transmits the same
data to all CMs located along the same section of cable (one-to-many
communications). A request/grant mechanism exists between the
CMTS and the CMs, meaning that a CM needing to transmit data must
first send a request to the CMTS, after which it can transmit at the time
assigned to it.
However, regardless of CATV standard underlying the HFC network,
the operational principle of the RF amplifiers, such as the amplifiers
108, 110, is similar in that sense that they must be capable of two-way
transmission and amplification of both downstream and upstream
(a.k.a. forward path and return path) signals.
Figure 2 shows a simplified block chart of downstream and upstream
signal paths in a typical RF amplifier used in HFC network. The
amplifier 200 comprises a first input/output port 202, which operates as
an input for the downstream (forward) signals originating from the
headend or the CMTS and an output for the upstream (return) signals
originating from the customer devices. The amplifier 200 further
comprises a second input/output port 204, which operates as an output
for the downstream (forward) signals originating from the headend or
the CMTS and an input for the upstream (return) signals originating
from the customer devices. Within the amplifier the downstream and
upstream signals have their own signal routes 206a, 206b travelling at
least partly through different components, including attenuators, signal
inclination controllers, amplifiers, etc.
Regarding the implementation of the embodiments described further
below, most of the internal structure of the network element is
irrelevant, and therefore the internal structure is not described in further
detail, but only depicted by the dotted lines 206a, 206b referring to the
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
7
signal routes and components 206c, 206d referring to the components
along the corresponding signal routes.
Regarding the first input/output port 202 and the downstream signals
originating from the headend or the CMTS, there is at least one diplex
filter 208 for directing the downstream and upstream signals to/from
their own frequency bands. Similarly, regarding the second input/output
port 204 and the upstream signals originating from the customer
devices, there is at least one diplex filter 210 for directing the upstream
and downstream signals to/from their own frequency bands.
The RF amplifier of Figure 2 further comprises a control circuit 212 for
obtaining control signals for adjusting the amplification parameters of
the downstream and upstream amplifier units. Typically the control
signals are supplied manually by a technician, either using a user
interface of the RF amplifier or by connecting an external device to the
RF amplifier.
In HFC networks, return path (i.e. upstream) adjustment of a wideband
amplifier is a challenging task and a common source of adjustment
errors. The return path adjustment of an HFC amplifier requires skill,
tools and knowledge. Traditionally, amplification parameters of the
return path, such as gain and slope, have been hand-adjusted by a
service technician. Manual adjustment of return path might cause
adjustment error or return path might be left totally unadjusted. False
return path adjustment causes poor upstream transmission
performance and degrades the cable modem system's Quality of
Service. While forward path is typically correctly adjusted by field
personnel, return path adjustment is too often neglected as its effect on
cable modem system QoS may not be directly visible during
installation.
Therefore, an improved procedure is needed for carrying out correct
return path adjustment so as to improve the transmission performance
of the HFC network.
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
8
According to an aspect, a network element of a cable television (CATV)
network is now introduced, said network element comprising a first
input for downstream signal transmission; a plurality of components
arranged to form a downstream signal path, wherein at least one of
said components is a downstream amplifier; a second input for
upstream signal transmission; a plurality of components arranged to
form an upstream signal path, wherein at least one of said components
is an upstream amplifier; means for inputting a control signal for
adjusting one or more amplification parameters of the downstream
amplifier; and means for adjusting one or more amplification
parameters of the upstream amplifier, wherein said one or more
amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier are automatically
calculated on the basis of the one or more amplification parameters of
the downstream amplifier.
Hence, the implementation of the network element is based on an
observation that the amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier
can be adjusted on a sufficiently good level on the basis of the
amplification parameters of the downstream amplifier. Thus, it is not
necessary to manually adjust the amplification parameters of the
upstream amplifier, but it suffices to adjust only the amplification
parameters of the downstream amplifier. It is nevertheless noted that
this does not preclude the option that the technician may continue
adjusting manually the values of the amplification parameters of the
upstream amplifier, for example fine tuning the values based on his/her
skills and experience.
According to an embodiment, said means for adjusting one or more
amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier is arranged to
continuously follow changes in values of the one or more amplification
parameters of the downstream amplifier, and to re-adjust the one or
more amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier based on said
changes. The continuous adjustment guarantees that return path will
not be badly misadjusted even if the technician deliberately chooses
not to adjust it or simply forgets the adjustment.
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
9
According to an embodiment, said amplification parameters of the
downstream amplifier used as a basis for calculating said amplification
parameters of the upstream amplifier are gain and slope of the
downstream amplifier. Thus, the gain and slope of the return path may
be continuously adjusted, for example, by an algorithm running in a
control circuit, such as in an embedded microcontroller. The algorithm
may calculate the return path gain and slope control values using the
forward path gain and slope value as a basis.
According to an embodiment, the gain of the upstream (return path)
amplifier is calculated according to
gain (US) = A*gain (DS) + B*slope (DS) + C (1.)
where gain(DS) and slope(DS) are the gain and slope of the
downstream (forward path) amplifier and A and B are constants
depending on a frequency band of the upstream signal path and C
refers to one or more ambient factors described more in detail further
below.
According to an embodiment, the slope of the upstream amplifier is
calculated according to
slope (US) = D*gain(DS) + E*slope (DS) + F (2.)
where gain(DS) and slope(DS) are the gain and slope of the
downstream amplifier and D and E are constants depending on a
frequency band of the upstream signal path and F refers to one or
more ambient factors described more in detail further below.
The above equations (1) and (2) provide the general form for the
algorithm that may be used for calculating the return path gain and
slope control values using the forward path gain and slope value as a
basis and applying appropriate weights for the forward path gain and
slope value. Optionally, one or more ambient factors may also be taken
into consideration when calculating the return path gain and slope
control values.
According to an embodiment, said means for adjusting the one or more
amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier is arranged to use
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
one or more of the following parameters upon calculating said
amplification parameters:
¨ operating temperature of the network element;
¨ application-specific correction values;
5 ¨ type of plug-in modules used in the network element;
¨ information about usage of a power save mode.
Thus, the above described ambient factors C and F may be
approximated by using one or more of the above parameters. The
10
applicability of the above parameters depends on various operation
and installation conditions.
The operating temperature of the network element may preferably be
considered, for example, when the ambient temperature upon
installation of the network element is significantly different
(hotter/cooler) than the average operating temperature of the network
element. In such situation it may be assumed that the temperate
difference in underground cables is less significant, and therefore a
compensation factor may be applied.
The application-specific correction values may be applicable, for
example, depending on whether the amplifier is used as a distribution
amplifier or a trunk line amplifier. In a distribution amplifier, the
downstream amplification parameters are typically on a higher level
than in a trunk line amplifier. Thus, a part of the downstream gain may
be neglected upon adjusting the upstream amplification parameters.
Herein, the technician carrying out the installation may also manually
provide adjusting factors for adjusting the amplifier to comply with a
typical frequency response of the HFC network.
The network element may comprise a plurality of plug-in modules, each
of which providing a different level attenuation on the downstream
and/or upstream path. This effect may preferably be taken into
consideration, as well.
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
11
The information about whether a power save mode is used in the
amplifier provides also the information whether the amplifier is used as
a distribution amplifier or a trunk line amplifier. In a distribution
amplifier, the power save mode is typically not used, and this is
preferably taken into consideration upon adjusting the upstream
amplification parameters.
It is, however, noted that in many practical installation situations, the
effect of the ambient factors is so negligible that they may be ignored
and only the constants A, B, C and D are adjusted appropriately.
Thus, according to an embodiment, the gain of the upstream (return
path) amplifier is calculated according to
gain (US) = gain (DS) ¨ B*slope (DS) (3.)
where gain(DS) and slope(DS) are the gain and slope of the
downstream amplifier and B is a constant depending on a frequency
band of the upstream signal path. Herein, constant A = 1.
According to an embodiment, the slope of the upstream amplifier is
calculated according to
slope (US) = D*slope (DS) (4.)
where slope (DS) is the slope of the downstream amplifier and D is a
constant depending on a frequency band of the upstream signal path.
Herein, constant C = 0.
Hence, it has been observed that sufficiently good values for the return
path gain and slope may be obtained, at the simplest, using the above
equations (3) and (4). The return path gain may be calculated on the
basis of the forward path gain and the forward path slope weighted with
an appropriate first constant. The return path slope may be calculated
on the basis of the forward path slope weighted with an appropriate
second constant. Thus, it may be said that regarding the appropriate
gain and slope of the amplifiers, the return follows the forward.
According to an embodiment, the network element further comprises a
plurality of diplex filters, each of the diplex filters comprising bandpass
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
12
filters for different downstream and upstream frequency bands. Thus,
the network element may be used for various frequency band
configurations, thereby for example anticipating an introduction of
DOCSIS 3.1 whereupon the frequency ranges and the bandwidth of
the downstream and upstream communication channels are adjusted
to higher levels. The network element may comprise a switch for
connecting the selected diplex filter so as to control the usage of
desired downstream and upstream frequency bands. Upon changes in
the downstream and upstream frequency bands, the above weights A,
B, C and D naturally change accordingly.
According to an embodiment, said means for adjusting one or more
amplification parameters of the upstream amplifier comprises a control
circuit configured to detect the values of the one or more amplification
parameters of the downstream amplifier and changes thereof and to
adjust the one or more amplification parameters of the upstream
amplifier based on the detected values.
The control circuit may be implemented for example as a FPGA or an
ASIC and it may comprise a processor for executing various tasks. The
control circuit may be configured to detect the values of the gain and
slope of the downstream amplifier and their changes and to adjust the
gain and slope of the upstream amplifier based on the detected values.
The control circuit may further be configured to detect other parameters
of the network element, for example the parameters mentioned above,
and use one or more said parameters upon calculating the gain and
slope of the upstream amplifier.
Figure 3 shows a simplified block chart for illustrating the
embodiments. Figure 3 shows a simplified block chart of a two-way
wideband amplifier 300 comprising diplex filters 310,320 configured to
route the return and the forward path signals to their respective signal
paths within the amplifier. The amplifier comprises means 360 for
inputting a control signal for adjusting the amplification parameters of
the forward path amplifier, such as a user interface, for example push
buttons, implemented within the amplifier. The control signal may also
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
13
be supplied using an external device, such as a mobile device or
laptop, connected to the amplifier. The user, such as a technician, may
adjust the forward path amplification parameters by using said means
360 for inputting a control signal.
A control circuit 350, such as a CPU, receives the supplied control
signals and adjusts one or more amplification parameters, such as gain
and slope, of the forward path amplifier 330 accordingly.
Simultaneously the control circuit 350 calculates values for one or more
amplification parameters, such as gain and slope, of the return path on
the basis of the values of the forward path amplification parameters
and adjusts one or more amplification parameters, such as gain and
slope, of the forward path amplifier 340 accordingly.
In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware
or special purpose circuits or any combination thereof. While various
embodiments may be illustrated and described as block diagrams or
using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that
these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described
herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware,
software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose
hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some
combination thereof.
A skilled person appreciates that any of the embodiments described
above may be implemented as a combination with one or more of the
other embodiments, unless there is explicitly or implicitly stated that
certain embodiments are only alternatives to each other.
The various embodiments can be implemented with the help of
computer program code that resides in a memory and causes the
relevant apparatuses to carry out the invention. Thus, the
implementation may include a computer readable storage medium
stored with code thereon for use by an apparatus, such as the network
element, which when executed by a processor, causes the apparatus
to perform the various embodiments or a subset of them. Additionally
CA 03087491 2020-07-02
WO 2019/141893
PCT/F12018/050040
14
or alternatively, the implementation may include a computer program
embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the
computer program comprising instructions causing, when executed on
at least one processor, at least one apparatus to apparatus to perform
the various embodiments or a subset of them. For example, an
apparatus may comprise circuitry and electronics for handling,
receiving and transmitting data, computer program code in a memory,
and a processor that, when running the computer program code,
causes the apparatus to carry out the features of an embodiment.
It will be obvious for a person skilled in the art that with technological
developments, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in a
variety of ways. Thus, the invention and its embodiments are not
limited to the above-described examples but they may vary within the
scope of the claims.
